JAMES BOND - BOND BOSSES' SECRECY OVER DANIEL CRAIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Producers of the forthcoming JAMES BOND sequel have refused to comment on reports British star DANIEL CRAIG has won the coveted superspy role.

Craig, 37, was in competition with CLOSER star CLIVE OWEN for the part of the spy, after PIERCE BROSNAN was ditched for demanding a staggering $42 million (GBP23 million) for his next Bond film.

But Owen has since decided the role would limit his acting career and a leak from movie giant EON PRODUCTIONS suggests producer BARBARA BROCCOLI has offered the LAYER CAKE star a contract for the next three films.

An insider explains, "Everybody who works at Eon Productions, which makes the Bond movies, has been told Daniel is the new 007.

"He is going through the deal with his lawyers. It's a big commitment for a minimum of ten years but he has indicated that he will take the job."

Although a spokesperson for production company Eon says, "We're waiting for our director to finish the film he's currently working on.

"Then I'm sure we'll be commenting on a lot on all sorts of things."